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cRISFIELD'S Mayor Darlene Taylor says this will be a big help to the community. The funding is set to help a plethora of issues in the city. That includes projects to address climate resilience and flooding. In addition to stormwater pumping and funding for Crisfield police. The police department will be getting extra funding for more patrols, along with more attention to alcohol issues, with more compliance checks for underage drinking. Mayor Taylor says the city is happy to receive the funding. “We’re looking to do things to help revitalize the city across the board. We definitely need some economic boosts, we need a boost for some activity in the city and one of the main issues we have is flooding, so a lot of the funding that we have will help with our infrastructure,” says Mayor Darlene Taylor. As of right now, Mayor Taylor says many of these projects are in the works so she doesn’t know when they will be completed, however, the city is excited that they can begin working on bettering the area of Crisfield and some of that funding will go towards the Crisfield City Dock. State Senator Mary Beth Carozza is sponsoring a bond worth $100,000 to improve the area. She calls the dock an anchor point for Crisfield, adding outdoor events and venues could draw even more visitors. The senator credits Councilman Eric Banks for keeping the project going. Now the work is beginning to strengthen this area of Crisfield. “This money will be used for the planning and the vision of the Crisfield dock which is really the anchor of Crisfield, when you think about it when people come to Crisfield and they’re coming down 413, where do they want to go? They want to go straight and they’re headed right to the dock and they’ll be able to see the beautiful views,” says Senator Mary Beth Carozza. Senator Carozza says this will not just benefit tourism, but locals as well.   FOR THE FULL STORY AND VIDEO, Funding set to benefit projects in Crisfield - 47abc (wmdt.com)

MD lawmakers speak on priorities ahead of upcoming legislative session Excerpted from WMDT news feature. For the full story:MD lawmakers speak on priorities ahead of upcoming legislative session - 47abc (wmdt.com)  Javari Burnett MARYLAND –Senator MaryBeth Carozza says her goals will be centered around public safety and efforts to strengthen support for education across her district. “Worcester County puts in the overwhelming amount for education funding as opposed to the state. We also have different needs in Worcester County compared to some other school districts across the bridge,” Senator Carozza said. Senator Carozza also tells us she was recently appointed to the new formed Senate Executive Nominations Committee and will continue her work with reorganized Senate Education, Health, Energy & Environmental Affairs Committee.   The 2022 General Election saw the referendum for recreational marijuana use for adults move forward. Despite that, those we spoke with say there will be lots of discussion on how to implement it. “So now you’re going to see a very intense effort to put something in place that really will have to be very fair across the board,” Senator Carozza said. Senator Carozza adds she’s already pre-filed a bill to strengthen support for law enforcement in Crisfield.  It’s a measure that would establish a retirement system for the department to help retain and recruit more officers. The 445th legislative session is set to start on January 11th.

EXCERPTED FROM DELMARVA NOW ONLINE Dwight A. Weingarten Salisbury Daily Times Workforce challenges and 'an opportunity for the Shore' The Lower Shore’s senior senator, Mary Beth Carozza, who has represented Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties in the senate since 2019, also has been on the road since the election in November, at meetings with local governments and other institutions such as Wor-Wic Community College, and at Christmas parades. In a Dec. 5 interview, Carozza called the workforce shortages a “top priority.” CHILDREN:With Maryland in a child care crisis, what can turn trend around? MORE: Police 'under fire': Md. law enforcement calls for community partners after officers shot “I want to make sure that our talent, our young talent here on the Shore, understand that we have these workforce shortages,” said Carozza, citing employee gaps in public safety, education, high tech, among other sectors. She appealed directly to schools and students.   “Wherever (students’) passion is, there’s a workforce shortage,” she said, “That’s something that really excites me because it’s a challenge that can really be transitioned into an opportunity for the Shore.” The leisure and hospitality industry, which has been a mainstay of the Eastern Shore economy for a century dating back to the spread of the automobile, was especially impacted during the pandemic. The full article can been seen online at: Delmarva Now story